Martin Logan Preface

esowden

I can get a pair for $600.00. Does anyone have any experience with these speakers? How would they compare to RTi A7s for example?

Menasor

esowden wrote: »

I can get a pair for $600.00. Does anyone have any experience with these speakers? How would they compare to RTi A7s for example?

I've heard them in person. They are bright and somewhat robotic compared to some of the other speakers in its MSRP class ($1500/pr). I thought the Monitor Audio RS6's outclassed them. However for $600... I'd say they carry more detail and sound better than the A7's. Both are on the bright side though. I'd say go for the Preface if you have the amp to drive them (they are 4 ohms) and two if you have a room where they can be perfectly placed.

Zitro

My experience with them only comes from an extended audition at Best Buy, so it may be biased by the way they were set up. However, not once did I feel engaged to the music while listening to this. They were clear, they were detailed, but they didn't draw me in to the music. Not very warm or open. More analytical than I think I'd like. I don't know what else to call it, but subjectively, it was not a very engaging listen. It was more listening to the speakers than listening to the music. I get more listening pleasure out of my little LSi7's and even out of my old Monitor 5jrs than I did out of those.

I was listening for 2 channel music though, not HT, so I don't know how well they'd do there.

Menasor

Zitro wrote: »

My experience with them only comes from an extended audition at Best Buy, so it may be biased by the way they were set up. However, not once did I feel engaged to the music while listening to this. They were clear, they were detailed, but they didn't draw me in to the music. Not very warm or open. More analytical than I think I'd like. I don't know what else to call it, but subjectively, it was not a very engaging listen. It was more listening to the speakers than listening to the music. I get more listening pleasure out of my little LSi7's and even out of my old Monitor 5jrs than I did out of those.

I was listening for 2 channel music though, not HT, so I don't know how well they'd do there.

When I was listening to these at Magnolia, I don't think they were driven by very good amps. That could be the cause of them being too cold and a bit closed. They definitely are detailed and analytical though. Not very forgiving with compressed formats like 320kbps mp3's and such.

esowden

I went ahead and picked up the Martin Logans. Nice speakers. Definitely a step up from the Monitor 70s.

The manual recommends 72-100 hours of break-in and they only have about 5 hours on them. They seem to be a tad bright but they also sound fuller compared to the Monitors. My Parasound is rated at 200 wpc driving a 4 ohm load so they certainly aren't underpowered.

Menasor

esowden wrote: »

I went ahead and picked up the Martin Logans. Nice speakers. Definitely a step up from the Monitor 70s.

The manual recommends 72-100 hours of break-in and they only have about 5 hours on them. They seem to be a tad bright but they also sound fuller compared to the Monitors. My Parasound is rated at 200 wpc driving a 4 ohm load so they certainly aren't underpowered.

Congrats!

Zitro

Congrats on the purchase; glad you like them!

Justin30

Congratulations on your purchase. You got a great deal I was looking at the Preface but ended up going with the Source SE when Amazon had them on sale. I did not get to hear the Preface.

I am extremely happy with the speakers and will write more after 30 days of listening to them. I can not believe the clarity and sound presence that the speakers exhibit.

Hawkeye

Congrats you guys! Your taking a different path with your speaker choices which will reward you with terrifically reproduced music! When your ready to explore the finer nuances of ML, stop by http://www.martinloganowners.com/forum/index.php. It is somewhat of a sleepy site but full of great folks, very civilized and can be a great aid in extracting the most out of your new speakers.

Gordon